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James Madison is remembered primarily as a systematic political theorist, but this bookish and unassuming man was also a practical politician who strove for balance in an age of revolution. In this biography, Jeff Broadwater focuses on Madison’s role in the battle for religious freedom in Virginia, his contributions to the adoption of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, his place in the evolution of the party system, his relationship with Dolley Madison, his performance as a wartime commander-in-chief, and his views on slavery. From Broadwater’s perspective, no single figure can tell us more about the origins of the American republic than our fourth president.

In these pages, Madison emerges as a remarkably resilient politician and an unlikely wartime leader who survived repeated setbacks in the War of 1812 with his popularity intact. Yet Broadwater shows that, despite his keen intelligence, the more Madison thought about one issue—race—the more muddled his thinking became, and his conviction that white prejudices were intractable prevented him from fully grappling with the dilemma of American slavery.

“A comprehensive and fascinating view of the nations, personalities, economic issues, and events that led to the War of 1812.”

Rocky Mount (NC) Telegram

“[James Madison] will appeal to readers looking for an in-depth analysis of Madison’s revolutionary thinking.”

ForeWord Reviews

“In an engagingly formulated work of synthesis, Broadwater offers a compelling view of the essential Madison…[His] clear writing style and contextual explanations make this work especially appealing to incipient scholars and general readers.”

Library Journal

“An essential American philosopher and president gains a substantive treatment.”

Kirkus Reviews

“Broadwater has mastered the voluminous literature on Madison. With lively and fast-paced prose, this succinct synthesis of recent scholarship will appeal to historians, political scientists, and general readers alike.”

Author Biography

Jeff Broadwater is professor of history at Barton College and author of George Mason, Forgotten Founder.

Reader Biography

Johnny Heller, a two-time winner of the prestigious Audie Award, was named a top voice of 2008 and 2009 and selected as one of the Top 50 Narrators of the Twentieth Century by AudioFile magazine. His adult and children’s book narrations have earned him multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards.

James Madison is remembered primarily as a systematic political theorist, but this bookish and unassuming man was also a practical politician who strove for balance in an age of revolution. In this biography, Jeff Broadwater focuses on Madison’s role in the battle for religious freedom in Virginia, his contributions to the adoption of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, his place in the evolution of the party system, his relationship with Dolley Madison, his performance as a wartime commander-in-chief, and his views on slavery. From Broadwater’s perspective, no single figure can tell us more about the origins of the American republic than our fourth president.

In these pages, Madison emerges as a remarkably resilient politician and an unlikely wartime leader who survived repeated setbacks in the War of 1812 with his popularity intact. Yet Broadwater shows that, despite his keen intelligence, the more Madison thought about one issue—race—the more muddled his thinking became, and his conviction that white prejudices were intractable prevented him from fully grappling with the dilemma of American slavery.

“A comprehensive and fascinating view of the nations, personalities, economic issues, and events that led to the War of 1812.”

Rocky Mount (NC) Telegram

“[James Madison] will appeal to readers looking for an in-depth analysis of Madison’s revolutionary thinking.”

ForeWord Reviews

“In an engagingly formulated work of synthesis, Broadwater offers a compelling view of the essential Madison…[His] clear writing style and contextual explanations make this work especially appealing to incipient scholars and general readers.”

Library Journal

“An essential American philosopher and president gains a substantive treatment.”

Kirkus Reviews

“Broadwater has mastered the voluminous literature on Madison. With lively and fast-paced prose, this succinct synthesis of recent scholarship will appeal to historians, political scientists, and general readers alike.”

Johnny Heller, a two-time winner of the prestigious Audie Award, was named a top voice of 2008 and 2009 and selected as one of the Top 50 Narrators of the Twentieth Century by AudioFile magazine. His adult and children’s book narrations have earned him multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards.

James Madison is remembered primarily as a systematic political theorist, but this bookish and unassuming man was also a practical politician who strove for balance in an age of revolution. In this biography, Jeff Broadwat... Learn more

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